Resources

Resources – Educators

As an educator, the challenges of teaching and caring for a traumatized child or youth in your school is very real. Following are a combination of hand-selected articles, handouts, links, and videos that we believe would be helpful to you as you interact daily with the effects of trauma and create a safe classroom and school to optimize learning.

After years of practice and research, we are making available to you the findings and publications of like-minded specialists. These materials are a collection from our own clinicians and field experts as well as other credible professionals who practice in the realm of complex trauma. These materials are organized in a topical layout and part of our commitment to you will be to continue to build on these resources to provide you with the ongoing support that you need.

We ask that you respect the copyright applications of material on this site as well as those on other sites that we recommend to you.

You will notice that some of our resources are free and others will require a CTR membership to access. Sign up here.

Below you will find some resources that we believe will give you an understanding of Complex Trauma and its effects on children and youth. These are a great starting place in understanding the impact complex trauma has on the brain and how we can better support our children in the healing journey.

ABORIGINAL/INDIGENOUS

Inter-Generational Trauma by Fred Chou Sandy was a young adolescent boy that was currently in a foster care placement with two care groups; he was with his grandmother on the weekend in his own reserve and then during the week days he stayed with a foster family in his city. He presented with behavioral issues; …

Fourteen-year old Malia is a male of Caucasian and Somalian descent who has lived with his foster family for the past 4 years. Prior to moving in with his foster family, Malia lived with his biological Muslim family until he was 10 years old. His foster mother Angela came to me asking for help on …

In my previous post, I talked about the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACEs) and how this is beginning to shake the foundation of how we view mental health problems. Take the ACEs test here The ACEs study points to a powerful connection between stressful childhood experiences and how it can create lifelong difficulties for people …

An introductory video on the impact of childhood trauma, ACES and the connection between life long and chronic health conditions. Dr Jeffrey Brenner states, “I believe ACE scores should become a vital sign, as important as height and weight”.

Ongoing adversity in childhood leads to a chronic state of “fight, flight or freeze.” Researchers at Yale had recently shown that when inflammatory stress hormones flood a child’s body and brain, they alter the genes that oversee our stress reactivity, re-setting the stress response to “high” for life.

ADOPTION

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ANXIETY

Yoga for Trauma by Lisa Frede Jaime sat cross legged on her new yellow yoga mat, wondering why she had ever agreed to try this. The instructor at the front of the room was addressing the class, yet Jaime’s mind was racing and she could hardly focus on what was being said – something about …

When children are under the influence of an anxious brain, their behaviour has nothing to do with wanting to push against the limits. Once kids have a more solid understanding of why they do what they do, they will be well on their way to finding a better response. Here’s where the adults in their lives will make a critical difference.

Navigating anxiety is an essential life skill that will serve them in the years to come. In the heat of the moment, try these simple phrases to help your children identify, accept, and work through their anxious moments.

ATTACHMENT

Dr. Karyn Purvis explains in this audio bite the attachment cycle and how it affects a child behaviorally and neurochemically when he or she expresses a need that is met or, conversely, when that need is not met and the impact of this cycle on a child’s behavior, self-regulation, and mental health.

In this 8 minute video, Dr. Karyn Purvis explains the importance of attachment and the difficulties presented for children that come from maltreated backgrounds. “All Children need to know that they’re precious and unique and special. But, a child that comes from a hard place needs to know it more desperately”.

BEDWETTING

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BRAIN & NEGLECT

Healthy development in the early years provides the building blocks necessary for the developing child. This three-part video series gives us a much better understanding of how early experiences are built into our bodies and brains, for better or for worse.

Chronic neglect can actually disrupt and weaken the developing brain architecture. This 20 page article provides scientific analysis of the effects of neglect, implications as well as the impact of intervention for maltreated children.

An addition to It’s Mindboggling!, this publication is a closer look at learning and memory, the senses, drug addition, and how the brain and nervous system work, for elementary and middle school students.

BRAIN AND STRESS

This three-part video series depicts how advances in neuroscience give us a better understanding of how early experiences are built into our bodies and brains, the impact of toxic stress and the circuitry of the brain in the development of a child.

DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF CHILDREN

EMOTIONAL REGULATION

Relationship Repair by: Dr. Kirk Austin It seemed that every time Johnny returned from visiting his mother he would have an “off day”. He had spent the last year in a foster home because his mother was unable to care for him. Her mental health and addiction issues had provided the backdrop of their relationship …

What is emotional regulation vs. emotional dysregulation? This publication guides caregivers and educators through an understanding of contributing factors to emotional dysregulation and helpful strategies to implement.

Emotional regulation refers to a person’s ability to regulate their emotional responses. Childen in particular, need to be taught this skill and often act like they are ‘out ofcontrol’. This article highlights practical skills to aid your child in self mastery of their emotions.

This initiative is engaging efforts throughout school districts to enable children and teens the skills to self regulate their emotions, anxiety, fears etc that would otherwise control and incapacitate them. This in turn is leading to successful in school and within their own lives.

EFFECTS OF TRAUMA

Children who enter the foster care system typically arrive with at least a few personal belongings but many also arrive with another piece of baggage, one that they are not even aware of. They have: an “invisible suitcase” filled with the beliefs they have about themselves, the people who care
for them, and the world in general. This outlines in an easy readable format some of the beliefs to be aware of and practical ways to help.

MENTAL ILLNESS

This 4-page article that address’ practical ways teachers and the education community can gain an understanding of and feel better equipped to support children of parents who struggle with mental illness.

MINDFULNESS

Yoga for Trauma by Lisa Frede Jaime sat cross legged on her new yellow yoga mat, wondering why she had ever agreed to try this. The instructor at the front of the room was addressing the class, yet Jaime’s mind was racing and she could hardly focus on what was being said – something about …

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PTSD & CHILDREN

Trauma and PTSD are silent diseases. Victims often feel isolated and misunderstood and people suffering from PTSD may feel frozen in time, reliving their traumatic experience over and over. Continue reading to see how you can support those suffering from these debilitating conditions.

RESILIENCY

In this video, Chris Ulmer takes the time to pay several compliments to each and every one of the eight students in his special education classroom. This is the power of affirmation and resiliency statements in action.

Factors that can influence the level of Care Team Functionality by David Brown I have been reflecting on my behaviour during some recent events, meetings and interactions with both colleagues and friends. I noticed with significant disappointment how often I would hesitate to say something due to my own uncertainty regarding whether, by saying it, …

SLEEP

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SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING

BUILDING EMPATHY THROUGH READING By Kenzi Dirks, M.A., R.C.C. “We really emphasize saying sorry,” a concerned foster mother said to me, “when Milo hurts someone we always make him apologize.” “How is that working?” I inquired, genuinely curious. “I don’t think he means it,” she responded. Children who have experienced complex trauma can have …

Relationship Repair by: Dr. Kirk Austin It seemed that every time Johnny returned from visiting his mother he would have an “off day”. He had spent the last year in a foster home because his mother was unable to care for him. Her mental health and addiction issues had provided the backdrop of their relationship …

A testimonial about how Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky are seeing positive results from a district-wide commitment to the CARE for Kids program (Social And Emotional Learning) made just two years ago (6:31 mins).

Studies show that sustained and well-integrated social and emotional learning (SEL) programs can help schools engage their students and improve achievement. Explore classroom practices that make up the best and most effective SEL programs (6:02 mins)

TRAUMA

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

Inter-Generational Trauma by Fred Chou Sandy was a young adolescent boy that was currently in a foster care placement with two care groups; he was with his grandmother on the weekend in his own reserve and then during the week days he stayed with a foster family in his city. He presented with behavioral issues; …

This booklet aims to provide an insight into the many challenges that adopted children face, why these challenges might arise and various tips and ideas on how to manage key areas of difficulty for both parents and teachers.

TRAUMA: ITS EFFECT

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

TRAUMA INFORMED CAREGIVING

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICE

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

TRAUMA & INTERVENTION

What’s in a Name? Lionel was moody in recent weeks. His parents noticed that he appeared to be more withdrawn at home and spent more time in his room. When they inquired at the school, teachers mentioned that the other kids had been picking on Lionel because it was “different”. Not knowing how to deal …

Fourteen-year old Malia is a male of Caucasian and Somalian descent who has lived with his foster family for the past 4 years. Prior to moving in with his foster family, Malia lived with his biological Muslim family until he was 10 years old. His foster mother Angela came to me asking for help on …

This article focuses on key insights that staff members working with traumatised children in various settings might find useful. He address’ three components to help ensure that staff provide the essential context these children need to heal and get back on the appropriate developmental path.

TRAUMA SENSITIVE SCHOOLS

Data Collection and Connecting Meaningful Interventions to the IEP Miss Peters knew that Jimmy had made some progress in the classroom because his shut downs and aggressive behaviours weren’t as severe as before. Within the first three months of the new school year, she learned that Jimmy had experienced complex trauma from the time he …

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

This manual is an aid to better support teachers and staff who are supporting children and youth who have experienced traumatic events. It provides specific strategies on how to be a trauma informed and practicing classroom.

This article describes the basis for providing a safe and healing environment for children in schools who need to recover from the effects of trauma. Basic assumptions, values, goals and the process that must be shared by all members of the system are described.

This extensive article provides 129 pages of practical understanding of complex trauma, the considerable impact of domestic violence on a child’s ability to learn and practical tools to unfold the framework for being a trauma sensitive school.

This 100-page article, shares the effects of prolonged trauma in children and its inevitable effect on their ability to learn, the science of neurobiology, how to provide support for a dynamic learning environment, integration strategies for a TIP school and more.

Educators and schools do have an informed role to play in the lives of students struggling with unprocessed traumatic memories. This article addresses the correlation between being a trauma informed school and academic success.

Chronic neglect can actually disrupt and weaken the developing brain architecture. This 20 page article provides scientific analysis of the effects of neglect, implications as well as the impact of intervention for maltreated children.

This article focuses on child traumatic stress, especially that most commonly found among children involved with the child welfare system and looks at effects of child traumatic stress and the most effective treatments.

TRAUMA AND TEACHING

This 25 minute powerful documentary with renowned experts, share a new understanding of how trauma effects the development of the mind body system, and how it affects children’s behaviors and social relationships.

What’s in a Name? Lionel was moody in recent weeks. His parents noticed that he appeared to be more withdrawn at home and spent more time in his room. When they inquired at the school, teachers mentioned that the other kids had been picking on Lionel because it was “different”. Not knowing how to deal …

An excellent article written by a collective group of clinicians which addresses trauma and its impact in the classroom. It’s notable for its content in recognizing potential risk factors and the application of TBRI principles and strategies so children can be successful in learning.